News and Press Releases of DIW Berlin

US and EU secure vaccine production on home soil

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 01:41:00 +0200

Abstract:

The deployment of a safe and effective vaccine for Covid-19 will be central to lifting containment measures. In a bid to speed up vaccine deployment, governments are entering into ‘Advance Purchase Agreements’ (APAs) with vaccine companies to secure access to vaccine doses. We document and compare the vaccine procurement strategies of the US and the EU. Most notably, we find that both the US and the EU only secure vaccine doses from developers whose (contracted) production facilities are based in US or EU territory, respectively. Securing vaccine production on home soil is crucial in a crisis because of the ability of governments to implement export restrictions; vaccines produced in a different jurisdiction may be blocked from exiting the region. Thus, only governments who can secure local production will be able to provide a vaccine quickly.

Studentische Hilfskräfte (w/m/div)

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 04:40:00 +0200

DIW Berlin’s Climate Policy Department is looking to fill from mid-October

two Student Research Assistant Positions

(10 to 19 hours/week)

Martin Harding has successfully defended his dissertation

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 09:57:00 +0200

Katharina Lehmann-Uschner has successfully defended her dissertation

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 09:57:00 +0200

Renke Schmacker has successfully defended his dissertation

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 11:06:00 +0200

No need for new natural gas pipelines and LNG terminals in Europe

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 04:37:00 +0200

Abstract:

Natural gas could play an increasing role in the German energy system following the coal exit decided in July 2020 by the German parliament. However, natural gas has no climate benefit compared to coal. What is more, Europe risks to become a battleground for the conflict between Russia and the United States. The construction of the Baltic Sea pipeline Nordstream 2 has set in motion a downward spiral of sanctions and counter-sanctions. US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports compete with Russian gas exports to Europe. While German and European policy makers debate about an appropriate reaction to the US sanctions, we ask which role will US LNG be able to play in the European natural gas market. Model results by DIW Berlin provide first answers. In the long run, however, the European climate policy commitments will lead to a phase-out of fossil natural gas in the wake of the energy transition in the next decades.

Submission to the revision of the EU infrastructure regulation

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 10:52:00 +0200

SOEPcampus@home Workshop Series - Registration Now Open

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 04:51:00 +0200

New report published: Investments in Climate Friendly Materials to Strengthen the Recovery Package

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 01:55:00 +0200

DG Competition of the European Commission publishes several studies evaluating State aid rules provided by a consortium with the participation of the DIW Berlin

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:20:00 +0200

Sponsorship for PhD student at the Graduate Center

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:33:00 +0200

Virtual Digital Economy Seminar (VIDE) co-organized by DIW research associate Hannes Ullrich

Thu, 28 May 2020 04:53:00 +0200

Tomaso Duso appointed to EU Commission’s advisory group

Wed, 27 May 2020 11:26:00 +0200

A Green New Deal after Corona: What We Can Learn from the Financial Crisis

Mon, 11 May 2020 03:25:00 +0200

Abstract:

Already after the financial crisis in 2008/2009 there was a debate on whether elements aiming at sustainable development can be part of the stimulus packages and support the recovery of the economy. Despite the instinct of policy makers to prioritise battle-tested policies during a crisis, significant levels and different types of climate-friendly components were integrated in the 2009 stimulus packages across the globe. The experience from the past crisis proves that such climate-oriented economic stimulus policies not only raise investments with benefits for economic output and jobs in the near term, but can also lay the groundwork for long-term innovation and economic development aligned with environmental constraints. By introducing policies such as Contracts for Difference for low-carbon industrial processes and renewable energy, and Green Public Procurement, governments can further ensure that their stimulus packages are transformative. Hence, “green stimuli” have the capacity to boost economic recovery also during the current Corona crisis.

Marica Valente selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings

Wed, 06 May 2020 10:52:00 +0200

SOEP Rated “Excellent” in 2019 Leibniz Evaluation

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 04:52:00 +0200

New SOEP Research Project: What Are the Social Consequences of the Corona Pandemic?

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 04:45:00 +0200

ECB and Fed monetary policy measures against the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have little effect

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 04:05:00 +0200

Abstract:

To cushion the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, central banks have taken far-reaching monetary policy measures. The US Federal Reserve has lowered its interest rates and, like the European Central Bank, has expanded its bond purchase programs. However, it is questionable whether these measures are having the desired effect of calming the markets and supporting the real economy. It is true that the macroeconomic effects cannot yet be quantified, but initial indications of their effectiveness can be seen in the short-term reactions of stock prices and bond yields. The following article shows how interest rates and prices have reacted directly to the central bank announcements and what conclusions can be drawn from this for future measures.

Melanie Koch has successfully defended her dissertation

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 04:39:00 +0200

Melanie Koch, Research Associate in the International Economics Department and GC Class of 2015, has successfully defended her dissertation at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

The dissertation with the title "Non-Standard Preferences and Beliefs in Financial Decision Making" was supervised by Prof. Dr. Lukas Menkhoff (DIW Berlin) and Prof. Dr. Georg Weizsäcker (HU).

We congratulate Melanie on her success and wish her all the best for her future career.

Joint Economic Forecast: Economy in Shock – Fiscal Policy to Counteract

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 02:49:00 +0200